The New York Islanders soundly beat the Pittsburgh Penguins to open a 3-0 series lead and push the Pens to the brink of elimination.
- New York Islanders 4
- Pittsburgh Penguins 1
- NYI: Jordan Eberle (3), Brock Nelson (2), Leo Komarov (1), Anders Lee (1)
- PIT: Garrett Wilson (1)
- Stanley Cup Playoffs, Final, Box Score
- PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
If there was anyone left doubting the New York Islanders, they should be thoroughly convinced otherwise.
Over the last three games, Barry Trotz and his squad have surgically picked the Penguins apart.
The Islanders are outscoring the Penguins 11-5, and coming into Sunday were ranked fifth-overall in goals-for. Mathew Barzal, Jordan Eberle, Anders Lee, and Brock Nelson all have stepped their intensity up to form a dangerous playoff squad.
Fantastic pass by Pulock, spectacular shot by Eberle!
1-1 #Isles #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/YJckCqxCZM
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) April 14, 2019
First period comes to an end.
It's 2-1 #Isles pic.twitter.com/Fl0xFBiC12
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) April 14, 2019
So much of the Islanders success in the postseason comes from the genius matching by Trotz. Using the Casey Cizikas line to shut down three of the most dominant scorers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs has worked to perfection.
The best way to capture how much of a choke-hold the Islanders have around the Penguins is in the scoresheet thus far.
Leo Komarov and Valtteri Filppula are currently outscoring all of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jake Guentzel so far.
Komarov’s goal on Sunday was his first since Jan. 20.
It's so quiet in Pittsburgh, you can hear @Offside_Tavern!
3-1 #Isles over #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/CHcSlfTwaL
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) April 14, 2019
Lehner big time stop on Guentzel #Isles pic.twitter.com/CEVZhnutwO
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) April 14, 2019
If there was anyone doubting the Islanders’ shutdown defense (which won them the William Jennings trophy in the regular season), the Islanders have held the Penguins to a single goal in each of the last two games.
Robin Lehner entered Game 3 in the top two for overall save percentage, and has allowed the fourth-fewest goals heading into the afternoon.
Anything that can be going well for the Islanders simply is, and now there’s an opportunity for them to sweep the winners of two of the last three Stanley Cups.
The Islanders have successfully controlled play both with and without the puck throughout the series. When both teams take the ice for Game 4, all the Islanders have to do is stick to the game plan and continue to execute as they have been.
#Isles totally even-keel in post-game dressing room. No celebrations because, players say, they haven't won yet. Just want to continue their consistent hockey they've played in this series.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) April 14, 2019
The Islanders ability to put this series away quickly not only prevents any push from Pittsburgh, but also could allow them for rest for a potential second round match-up.